Test system for checking a splice connection between a fiber optic connector and one or more optical fibers

Abstract

A test system for checking a splice connection between a fiber optic connector and one or more optical fibers includes a body, an adapter movable relative to the body between a first position and second position, and an optical power delivery system. The adapter has a first connector receiving area configured to interface with a first type of fiber optic connector and a second connector receiving area configured to interface with a second type of fiber optic connector. The optical power delivery system is configured to deliver light energy to the first connector receiving area when the adapter is in the first position and the second connector receiving area when the adapter is in the second position. Related methods and installation tools incorporating such test systems are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A test system for checking a splice connection between a fiber optic connector and one or more optical fibers, the test system comprising:
 a body;   an adapter movable relative to the body between a first position and second position, the adapter having a first connector receiving area configured to interface with a first type of fiber optic connector and a second connector receiving area configured to interface with a second type of fiber optic connector; and   an optical power delivery system configured to deliver light energy to the first connector receiving area when the adapter is in the first position and the second connector receiving area when the adapter is in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical power delivery system is configured to deliver light energy only to the first connector receiving area when the adapter is in the first position and only to the second connector receiving area when the adapter is in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical power delivery system includes an optical power generator, waveguide, and test connector, the waveguide being configured to launch light energy propagated by the optical power generator into the test connector. 
     
     
         4 . The test system of  claim 3 , wherein the optical power delivery system includes first and second waveguides and first and second test connectors, and wherein the first and second test connectors are coupled to the adapter and aligned with the first and second connector receiving areas, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The test system of  claim 4 , wherein the optical power delivery system includes first and second optical power generators associated with the first and second waveguides, respectively, such that the first optical power generator is configured to propagate light energy to the first connector receiving area and the second optical power generator is configured to propagate light energy to the second connector receiving area. 
     
     
         6 . The test system of  claim 4 , wherein the optical power generator is associated with both the first and second waveguides such that the first waveguide is configured to launch light energy propagated by the optical power generator into the first test connector and the second waveguide is configured to launch light energy propagated by the optical power generator into the second test connector. 
     
     
         7 . The test system of  claim 6 , wherein the optical power delivery system further comprises a splitter. 
     
     
         8 . A test system according to  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to translate relative to the body to move between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         9 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to rotate relative to the body to move between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         10 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a connector holding area configured to support the fiber optic connector on the body, the first connector receiving area of the adapter being aligned with the connector holding area when the adapter is in the first position, and the second connector receiving area of the adapter being aligned with the connector holding area when the adapter is in the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises first and second receptacles that have distinct shapes and that define the first and second connector receiving areas, respectively. 
     
     
         12 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a workspace where the adapter is positioned, the test system further comprising:
 a cover coupled to the body and moveable between an open position that provides access to the workspace and a closed position that covers the workspace, wherein the adapter is operably coupled to the cover so as to be moveable therewith.   
     
     
         13 . The test system of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to be secured relative to the body in the first and second positions. 
     
     
         14 . The test system of  claim 13 , wherein the adapter includes first and second locking elements, the test system further comprising:
 a support member coupled to the body and confronting the adapter, wherein the support member includes a locking element configured to cooperate with the first locking element on the adapter to secure the adapter in the first position and with the second locking element on the adapter to secure the adapter in the second position.   
     
     
         15 . An installation tool for terminating field optical fiber with a fiber optic connector, wherein the fiber optic connector includes a stub optical fiber disposed between two or more splice components and a cam member at least partially surrounding the two or more splice components, the two or more splice components being configured to receive the field optical fiber adjacent the stub optical fiber, the cam member being configured to bias the two or more splice components upon actuation and thereby secure the stub optical fiber and field optical fiber, the installation tool comprising:
 a body configured to support the fiber optic connector;   an actuation assembly configured to actuate the cam member of the fiber optic connector; and   a test system comprising:
 an adapter movable relative to the body between a first position and second position, the adapter having a first connector receiving area configured to interface with a first type of fiber optic connector and a second connector receiving area configured to interface with a second type of fiber optic connector; and 
 an optical power delivery system configured to deliver light energy to the first connector receiving area when the adapter is in the first position and the second connector receiving area when the adapter is in the second position. 
   
     
     
         16 . The installation tool of  claim 15 , wherein the adapter is operably coupled to the actuator so as to be movable to the first position or the second position when the actuation assembly actuates the cam member. 
     
     
         17 . The installation tool of  claim 15 , wherein the optical power delivery system includes an optical power generator, waveguide, and test connector, the waveguide being configured to launch light energy propagated by the optical power generator into the test connector. 
     
     
         18 . The test system of  claim 17 , wherein the optical power delivery system includes first and second waveguides and first and second test connectors, and wherein the first and second test connectors are coupled to the adapter and aligned with the first and second connector receiving areas, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . The test system of  claim 18 , wherein the optical power delivery system includes first and second optical power generators associated with the first and second waveguides, respectively, such that the first optical power generator is configured to propagate light energy to the first connector receiving area and the second optical power generator is configured to propagate light energy to the second connector receiving area. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for terminating a field optical fiber, comprising
 a fiber optic connector having a stub optical fiber and a termination area to which the stub optical fiber extends, wherein an end portion of the fiber optic connector is configured to allow insertion of the field optical fiber to the termination area;   an installation tool configured to establish a splice connection between the stub optical fiber and field optical fiber, the installation tool including a body; and   a test system integrated into the installation tool, the test system comprising.
 an adapter movable relative to the body between a first position and second position, the adapter having a first connector receiving area configured to interface with a first type of fiber optic connector and a second connector receiving area configured to interface with a second type of fiber optic connector; and 
 an optical power delivery system configured to deliver light energy to the first connector receiving area when the adapter is in the first position and the second connector receiving area when the adapter is in the second position. 
   
     
     
         21 . A method of checking a splice connection between a fiber optic connector and one or more optical fibers, comprising:
 supporting the fiber optic connector on a body;   detecting the type of fiber optic connector;   aligning a first connector receiving area of an adapter with the fiber optic connector, wherein the adapter also includes a second connector receiving area configured to interface with a different type of fiber optic connector, and further wherein the adapter is movable relative to the body to align the first connector receiving area or second connector receiving area with the fiber optic adapter;   delivering light energy through the first connector receiving area to a termination area of the fiber optic connector; and   detecting the amount of light energy at the termination area; and   determining if the splice connection is acceptable based on the amount of light energy detected.